Slug detecting mechanism



Dec. 19, 1933. F. ZIGANEK SLUG DETECTING MECHANISM Filed April 12, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet l k 6 M M mz MM m m ATTORNEY Dec. 19, 1933. ZIGANEK 1,940,039

SLUG DETECTING MECHANI SM Filed April 12, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 @fl lNvENTOR ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 19, 1933 SLUG DETECTING MECHANISM Ferdinand'ziganek, Detroit, Mich., assignor to Snax Automatic Stores, Incorporated, Detroit,

Mich., a corporation of Michigan Application April 12, 1930. Serial No. 443,755

Claims.

My invention relates to a slug detecting mechanism for use on coin operated vending machines, and more particularly to a mechanism adapted to detectand also separate slugs or other foreign 5; matter from the genuine coins inserted in vending machines of this type.

In the operation 'of coin controlled vending machines, it has beenfound that many attempts are made .to obtain the merchandise in the ma- IO chine by the insertion of slugs or other foreign matter into the coin operating'slots of the machines. In order to insure the successful operation of such a vending machine, it is essential that a mechanism be provided which will detect aclb curately the various slugs or other foreign matter which may be inserted in the machine.

Such a mechanism, in addition to detecting the slug or other foreign matter, must-provide means for separating the slugs or other foreign,

matter from the proper coins, in order that the vending machine will not be impaired in its subsequent operation when a proper coin is inserted. p l

In additionto the foregoing, it is desirable that such a mechanism will test genuine coins inserted in the machine and reject coins which are not of the proper, denominations. .This requires that such devices be capable of adjustment for the detection of coins of varying denomina, tions in order that the same mechanism may be used on vending machines which operate on varying sizes of coins. a a

, It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a slug detecting mechanism which isaccurate in its operation, simple to manufacture, and. install in a coin controlled vending machine, and which is adapted to separate slugs and otherforeign matter from the proper coins inserted in such a vendingmachine.

.It is a further object of the present invention to provide a slug detecting mechanism which will 7 detect a slug or other foreign matter, separate said slug or other foreign matter from the proper coin, and leave the vending machine unimpaired in its subsequent operations with proper coins.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a slug detecting mechanism which will test genuine coins inserted in the vending machine and reject those of improper denominations, and is adjustable in order to adapt it for use on vending machines operated with coins of various denominations.

These, andv various other objects, features of arrangement, construction and operation, are plainly shown and described and will be best un- Fig. 4 is a top plan view, partially in cross section, taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1;

Fig.5 is a top, plan view, partially in cross section, taken on the line 55 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6'is a view in front elevation showing the slug detecting mechanism as it appears when the detecting operation is completed, the upper coin chute being shown in a fragmentary view;

Fig. '7 is a detailed view in top elevation, showing the sliding coin gate;

Fig. 8 is a detailed View in side elevation of the sliding coin gate shown in Fig. '7.

Referring more in detail to the drawings, 9 designates the upper coin chute which leads from the opening wherein the coinis inserted in "the vending machine, to the coin detecting mecha- 8o nism; 10 is a side coin chute having an arcuate slot therein and leading from the upper coiri chute 9, to acoin receptacle (not shown); 11 is a sliding gate which holds the coins as they fall from the upper coin chute 9. Below the sli ng gate 11, is a'slug expelling chute 12.

Slidably mounted on the slug expellingchute 12, is the slug detecting mechanism which con.- sists of a sliding sleeve 13, an arm 14, a lever arm 15, a locking notch 16, and a spring 1'? abutting on an arm 18, and surrounding a spring guide rod 18a, rigidly fixed to the said slug expelling chute 12.

Attached to the sleeve 13, is a plate 19, having a guide slot 20, through which projects a rigid pin 21 for limiting the upward and downward movement of the said sleeve 13, on the slug expelling chute 12.

The lever arm 15 is pivotally mounted on the slug expelling chute 12 by a bolt or similar means 22, and terminates at one end in an arm 23, having a guide slot 24, through which projects a rigid pin 25. The said lever 15 at the other end carries a coin detecting point 26, which is free to move in an arcuate groove 27 in the side coin chute 10.

As shown in Fig. 2, the coin detecting point 25 is formed on a shank 28, which is attached to the lever 15 by means of a nut 30, abutting on a washer 29. The'nut 30 and the washer 29 allow arcuate ball race groove 33-a on the face adjacent to the lower face of the lever arm 15. The arcuate ball race groove 33a is so formed as to be of greatest depth at a point intermediate the ends of the grooves 33-a. In the arcuate ball race grove 33-a is placed a steel ball 34, of

a diameter substantially equal to the greatest depth of the said arcuate ball race groove 33-41; said steel ball 34 being allowed to contact with the lower face of the lever 15. plate '33 is pivotally mounted on the pivotal connection 22 and is provided with a slot 35, and a screw 36, which permits the adjustment of the said plate 33.

The upper coin chute 9 is provided with a slot 37, in which is placed a member 38. The member 38 is placed substantially at the point where the side coin chute 10 joins the upper coin chute 9, and acts as a means of testing the diameter of the coin inserted in the upper coin chute 9 and held by the sliding gate 11.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 6, the slug detecting mechanism is so attached to a vending machine that when the vending machine 'is not being operated, the slug detecting mechanism is held in the inactive position shown in Fig. 1. This is accomplished by means of a pin 39, rigidly mounted on a rotatable plate or disc 40. The said pin 39 impinges against a protruding arm 41 formed on the slidable sleeve 13. The plate or disc 40 is secured to a coin released locking member (not shown), inwhich sufficient movement is permitted to permit a testing of the coin by any slug detecting mechanism prior to release of the coin controlled locking means. Upon rotating the said disc 40 in a clockwise direction, the

pin 39 is moved in an upward direction away from the said arm 41, said movement being sufficient to allow the spring 1'7 to push the's'leeves 13 toward the upper coin chute 9. Provision is made! by the use of springs or similarmeans secured.

to the coin released locking member (not shown) to so return the coin released locking member that the plate 40 and the pin'39 rotate in a counter-clockwise direction after operation of the machine. This'movement returns the parts of the slug detecting mechanism to'the normal position as shown in Fig. 1.

The upper gate member 11 is shown in detail in Figs. '7 and 8 and consists of two side members 42and 43. At one end of said side members, cross members 44 and 45 are'rigidly at tached and spaced a distance apart from one another to form a slot 46.. As shown in Fig. 1,

the projecting arm 14 on the sleeve; 13 slides in the said slot 46 and moves the gate member 11 toward the side coin chute 10 as the slug detecting mechanism is actuated, and in the opposite direction when the slug detecting mecha-.

The movable machine and drops into the upper coin chute 9, the coin controlled mechanism (not shown) for operating the vending machine is operated sufficiently to turn the plate 40 in a clockwise direction. This clockwise movement of the plate 40 moves the pin 39 upward and away from the arm 41, releases the spring 17, which moves the sleeve 13 toward the upper coin chute 9. Upon'release of the operating mechanism, the parts of the slug detecting mechanism are returned to normal position as shown in Fig. 1, as heretofore set forth. The coin or slug is dropped from the upper coin chute 9', onto the gate 11 and held from dropping into the slug expelling chute 12. At this stage of the operation, the coin detecting point 26 is drawn away from the back wall of the upper coin chute 9 to such an extent as to allow the coin or slug to slip between the back wall of the coin chute 9 and the coin detecting point 26 as the coin or slug rests on said gate 11.

As'the whole slug detecting mechanism moves toward the upper coin chute 9, when the spring l'lis released, the lever arm 15 is caused to pivot about the point 22. This movement of the lever arm moves the steel ball 34 in the ball race 33-a, toward the portion of said ball race 33-a, which is of greatest depth. As the ball'34 is thus moved, the lever arm 15 is spring pressed by the spring 31, toward the member 33. This allows the coin detecting point 26 to be brought in contact with the coin'or slug held on the rim of a gate 11.

The continued movement of thelever 15 causes 7 the ball 34 to travel to the end of the ball race 33a. As the ball 34 travels toward the shallower portion of the ball race33-a it is raised and exerts an upward pressure on thelever 15. This pressure raises the lever 15 and the point 26, which releases the coin contacted by the point 26. The movement of the lever 15 in theopposite direction causes the ball 34 to return to the opposite end of the ball race 33a and raises the lever 15 and the point 26 sufiiciently to permit a coin or slug to pass between it and the back of the chute 9. During the time that theball 34 travels in the deepest part of the ball race '33-a, the lever 15 and the point 26 are permitted to move toward the coin or slug and to contact with it. If the'coin or slug-has a raised rim, the rim is engaged by the'point 26 and carried into the side coin chute.

As the slug detecting mechanism continues its movement toward the upper coin chute 9, the projecting arm 14 moves in the same direction and slides throughthe slot 46 in the gate 11, causing thegate 11 to move toward the side coin chute 10 synchronously with the movement of the lever arm 15.

This operation is the same, whether there has been a genuine coin'or a slug inserted in the vending machine. a p I If, however, a proper genuine coin has been in serted in the vending machine, the coin detecting point 26 holds the coin in contact with the back wall of the upper coin chute 9 and the back wall of the sidecoin chute 10 during the whole of the chute 10. When the arm 15 has swung toward the side coin chute 10 sufficiently to bring the edge of the coin in contact with the member 38,

the gate 11 has been moved toward the side coin chute 10'to such an extent that the coin, if of 1 too large a diameter, will be prevented from pro- 1.3

ceeding into the side coin chute 10, and will be I dropped into the slug expelling chute 12.

As the coin, propelled by the lever arm 15'and' held by the coin'detecting point 26, moves toward the side coin chute 10, 'and passes between the member 38 and the lower side of the side coin chute 10, the coin detecting point 26 releases the coin, which rolls down the side coin chute 10 to the coin receptacle (not shown). The position of the various parts on the slug detecting mechani'sm when the cycle of operation has been completed is shown in Fig. 6.

Until the coin is dropped in the coin receptacle at the end of the side coin chute 10, mechanism is provided which makes it "impossible for the prospective purchaser to open the compartment of the vending machine containing the goods selected by the prospective purchaser.

If, however, a slug is inserted in the vending machine and drops from the upper coin chute 9 onto the gate 11, and after the prospective purchaser has moved the plate 40 in a clockwise direction and released the spring 17, the slug detecting mechanism is actuated and moves toward the upper coin chute 9. As the slug detecting mechanism moves upward, the lever arm 15 is caused to pivot on the point 22, the same as when a proper genuine coin is inserted. Unless the slug which has been inserted has a milled rim, the coin detecting point 26 does not catch the slug, and moves in the slot 27 in the side coin chute 10 without carrying with it the slug resting on the gate 11. During this same time, the gate 11 is moved toward the side coin chute 10 to such an extent that the full width of the slug expelling chute 12 is opened and the slug not being supported by the point 26, drops through the slug expelling chute 12 and out of the machine.

If a coin of an improper size has been inserted, it drops from; the upper coin chute 9 onto the gate 11. If the'coinis of a smaller diameter than the coins on. which the machine is to operate, the 'coinimmediately'passes through the gate 11 and into the slug expelling chute 12.

- ;,If the coin is too large to pass through the gate 11, it is caught by the slug detecting point 26 and propelled by the lever arm 15 to the point of contact with the member 38. If the coin is too large to pass between the member 38 and the lowerside of the coin chute 1 0, the coin cannot pass into the side coin chute-10. In this case, the gate 11 has been moved so as to open the full width of the slug expelling chute 12 by the time the: coin is caught between the member 38 and the lower side of the coin chute 10. As the lever arm 15 continues its movement othe coin detecting point 26 is forced over; the milled edge on the coin, and the coin is released and drops through the gate 11 into the slugexpelling chute 12.

Themovement of the gate 11 is so regulated that it the vending machine is to be operated on large coins, the gate 11 permitsany smaller coins to drop directly from the upper coin chute 9 through the gate 11 and into the slug expelling chute 12, without the necessity for any further operation of the slug detecting mechanism.

If a slug or coin inserted in the machineland caught on the gate 11, is too thin, the slug detecting point 26, will not be brought in contact with it, with the result that such thin slug or coin will drop into the slug expelling chute 12, at the moment the gate 11 is opened sufliciently to permit it to do so.

If the slug or coin is too thick to pass between the slugdetecting point 26'and the back of the upper coin chute 9, it will be held by the coin detecting point 26 fromfalling on the gate 11. When the coin detecting point 26 is moved toward the side coin chute 10, the thick coin or slug is released and drops through the open gate 11 into the slug expelling chute 12.

It thus will be seen that I have provided a slug detecting mechanism which will test a coin or slug for thickness and diameter, and also for the milled rim which is characteristic of genuine coins.

In order to adapt my mechanism for use on vending machines which operate with different sized coins, or to use this mechanism on a vending machine which may be adjusted to operate on various sized coins, I have provided various adjustments. r V

Thecoin detecting point 26 may be adjusted by means of the nut 30, which will move the said coin detecting point 26 relative to the lever arm 15 and control the distance of clearance between the coin detecting point 26 and the back of the upper coin chute 9. The raising and lowering of the lever arm 15 and the coin detecting point 26 is brought about by the ball 34 in the arcuate detecting mechanism toward the upper coin chute 9, and accordingly eifects the operation of the projecting arm 14 on the gate 11.

The size of the entrance, into the side coin chute 10 is controlled by adjustment of the member 38 in the slot 37;

The, tension of the spring .17 may be controlled by movement of the spring supporting member 18, on the slug expelling chute 12.

While I have illustrated a preferred embodiment'of my invention, many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, and I do not wish to be limited tothe precise details of construction set forth, but desire to avail myself of all changes within the scope of the appended claims. Having thus described my invention, what I claim is new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

I claim:

1. A slug detecting mechanism including in combination an upper coin chute, a side coin chut e,. a slug expelling chute, a gate separating said slug expelling chute from said upper coin chute, means for moving said gate, a. sleeve slidably mounted on said slug expelling chute, means for moving said sleeve, a lever pivotally mounted on said slug expelling chute, means for operatively connecting said gate and said sleeve, a detecting point mounted on' said pivoted lever adapted to engage the rim of a genuine coin, means operatively connecting said lever and said sleeve for directing said detecting point toward said side coin chute, means to move said lever and detecting point toward said upper coin chute, and means to return and hold said sleeve in a normal position after moving said sleeve.

2. An adjustable slug detecting mechanism adapted to separate slugs from genuine coins and test said coins as to diameter and thickness, and

including in combination a main coin'chute, a side coin chute, a gate dividingsaid main coin chute into coin receiving'and slug expelling portions, means for moving said gate, a sleeve slidably mounted on said slug expelling portion, means for moving said sleeve, a lever pivotally mounted adjacent said sleeve, a detecting point mounted 'on said pivoted. lever and adapted to engage the rim of a genuine coin and propel it from said main coin chute to said side coin chute, means to move said detecting point toward said main coin chute,'and means operatively connecting said sleeve and said lever, and means for returning and holding said sleeve in a normal position after operation of the mechanism.

3. A slug detecting mechanism for coin operated vending machines including in combination an upper coin chute, a side coin chute attached to said upper coin chute and extending downwardly and away from said point of attachment with said upper coin chute, a slug expelling chute, a gate separating said slug expelling chute from said upper coin chute, means for moving said gate, a sleeve slidably mounted on said slug expelling chute, means for actuating said sleeve, a lever operatively connected with said sleeve-and pivotally mounted adjacent said sleeve, a detecting point mounted on said pivoted lever and adapted to engage the rim of a genuine coin, means for directing said detecting point toward said upper coin chute, means to -move said detecting point toward said side coin chute, and means to return and hold said sleeve and said said side coin chute, means for moving said gate,

a sleeve slidably mounted on said slug expelling chute, means for actuating said sleeve; a'lever operatively connected with said. sleeve and pivotally mounted adjacent said sleeve', a detecting point adapted to engage the rim of a genuine coin, said detecting'point being mounted on said pivoted lever and extending through said arcuate' slot for a predetermined distance, means formoving said detecting point in said arcuate slot, and means for returning and holding said sleeve in -a normal position after operation of the mechanism.

5. A slug detecting mechanism including an upper coin chute, a side coin chute attached thereto and communicating therewith, a slug expelling chute adjacent said upper coin chute and communicating therewith, a movable gate separatingsaid upper coin chute and said slug expelling chute, said gate normally barring entrance to said slug expelling chute and acting to hold a coin or slug to be tested when the mechanism is in an inoperative position, means for moving said gate, a slotextending through the faces of said upper coin chute and said side coin chute adjacent said gate, a sleeve slidably,

mounted on said slug expelling chute, means for. actuating said sleeve, a lever mounted adjacent said slidable sleeve and operatively connected with said slidable sleeve, a member mounted on said lever and extending through said slot and into said upper'coin chute and said side, coin chute above said gate and adapted to engage the raised rim of, a coin held by said gate, means for moving said member in said slot toward said side coin chute, means for restoring the movable partsof said slug detecting mechanism to a normal position after operation, and means for holding said parts in such position until further operation of the device.

6. A slug detecting mechanism including an upper coin chute, a side coin chute secured to said upper coin chute and communicating therewith, a slug expelling chute secured to said upper coin chute and communicating therewith, a movable gate separating said slug expelling chute from said upper coin chute, a sleeve slidably mounted adjacent said slug expelling chute, an

extending arm attached to said sleeve and operatively connected with said gate to cause the movement of said gate upon the movement of said sleeve, means for actuating said sleeve, a lever adjacent said sleeve, a detecting member mounted on said lever and adapted to engage the rim of a genuine coin held on said gate, a slot communicating with the interior of said upper coin chute and said side coin chute, means for movin said detecting member in said slot, and means for: holding said slug detecting mechanism in a normal inoperative position and to return the parts thereof to such position after operation of the mechanism.

7. A slug detecting mechanism including an upper coin chute, a side coin chute and a slug expelling chute communicating with said upper coin chute, a slot extending through the adjacent faces of said coin chutes, a movable gate separating said slug expelling chute from said upper coin chute and adapted to hold a coin or slug of predetermined size, means for moving said gateincluding a sleeve slidably mounted on said slug expelling chute, means operatively connecting said'sleeve with said movable gate, a lever pivotally mounted adjacent said sleeve, means mounted on one end of said pivoted lever and extending through said slot for engaging the rim of a genuine coin held by said gate, means operatively connecting said pivoted lever and said slidable sleeve, means for moving said sleeve whereby said lever will be moved prior to movement of said gate, and means for holding said sleeve in a normal position and returning said sleeve to a normalposition after operation of the mechanism. 8; A slug detector including an upper coin chute; a side coin chute, a slug expelling chute, a gate adapted to hold a coin or slug of predetermined size and separating said slug expelling chute from said upper coin chute, means for moving said "gate and including a sleeve slidably mounted on said slug expelling chute, means operatively connecting said sleeve and said gate, a spring pressed lever pivotally mounted on said slug expelling'chute, means operatively connecting said slidable sleeve and said lever, a detecting point carried by said lever and adapted to engage the raised rim of a genuine coin held on said gate and to propel such coin from said gate to said side coin chute, means for releasing said coin after movement of the coin to said side coin chute, means for moving said sleeve whereby said detecting point will engage a coin or slug held on said gate prior to operation of said gate, and means for holding and returning said gate, sleeve and lever to their normal positions after operation of the mechanism. 7

9. A slug detecting mechanism including an of said spring pressed lever, means for releasing said coin in said side coin chute, means to move said spring pressed lever and-said detecting point and the coin engaged by said detecting point to said side coin chute, and means to return and hold said sleeve and parts operatively connected thereto in a normal inoperative position after operation of the mechanism.

10. A slug detector including an upper coin chute, a side coin chute, a slot extending through the faces of said chutes, a slug expelling chute, a movable gate separating said slug expelling chute from said upper coin chute, means for moving said gate, a sleeve slidably mounted on said slug expelling chute, means for actuating said sleeve, a member pivotally mounted on said slug expelling chute and carrying a ball race, a ball in said race, a lever pivotally mounted adjacent said member having its lower face in contact with said ball, a coin detecting point carried on one end of said lever and extending through said slot to the interior. of said chutes, said coin detecting point being adapted to engage the rim of a genuine coin in said chute, means for moving said lever, means for directing said detecting point toward said upper coin chute, and means for returning and holding said parts in a normal position after operation of the said mechanism.

11. In combination a vending machine having a selector mechanism and a slug detecting mechanism including a main coin chute, a movable gate dividing said main coin chute into an upper portion and a lower portion, a second coin chute communicating with the upper portion of said main coin chute, means for regulating the size of the opening of said second coin chute at the point of communication with said main coin chute, means for detecting the presence of a raised rim of a genuine coin adjacent said gate and adapted to engage the raised rim of a genuine coin and to propel such coinfrom said gate to said second coin chute, means for moving said detecting means, means for moving said gate to discharge coins or slugs having no raised rims into the lower portion of said main coin chute, and means for returning and holding said parts in normal position after operation of the mechanism.

12. A slug detecting mechanism for coin operated vending machines including in combination a main coin chute, a slotted gate slidably mounted in said main coin chute and adapted to separate said main coin chute into an upper portion and a lower portion, means for moving said gate, a second coin chute communicating with the upper portion of said main'coin chute at a point adjacent said slotted gate, a slot extending through the cover of said main coin chute and said side coin chute, a sleeve slidably mounted on the lower portion of said main coin chute, a lever pivotally connected to the lower portion of said main coin chute, a slug detecting point carried by said lever and adapted to engage the rim of a genuine coin, the said slug detecting point projecting through said slot in the faces of said main coin chute and said second coin chute, at a point adjacent said slotted gate, means operatively connecting said sleeve and said lever, means for moving said sleeve to operate said gate and said lever, and means to return and hold said parts in normal position after operation of said mechanism.

13. A slug detecting mechanism including a plurality of communicating coin chutes, means within said coin chutes for testing the diameter of a coin inserted therein, means movable in one of said coin chutes for supporting a coin to be tested, means for moving said last named means after the coin has been tested, a slot extending through the covers of two of said coin chutes, a movable arm, a member carried by said movable arm and extending through said slot and a predetermined distance into the inside of said chutes and adapted to engage the raised rim of a coin for moving movable arm, and means for holding and returning the parts of said mechanism in normal position after operation of said mechanism.

14. A slug detecting mechanism including a main coin chute and a side coin chute adjacent thereto and communicating therewith, a movable gate dividing said main coin chute into an upper and lower portion, and adapted to hold a coin or slug to be tested, a slot extending through the faces of said main coin chute and said side coin chute adjacent said movable gate, a movable arm having means for contacting with the raised rim of a coin extending throughsaid slot and inside said main coin chute and said side coin chute,-

means for moving said gate and said arm whereby a coin with a raised rim will be engaged by said means for contacting with the raised rim of such coin and moved from said gate prior to the opening of said gate, and means for returning and holding said gate and said arm to a normal position after operation of the mechanism.

15. A slug detecting mechanism comprising an upper coin chute, a side coin chute communicating with said upper coin chute, an arcuate slot extending over said upper coin chute and said side coin chute, means adjacent said slot to support a coin to be tested, a slug expelling chute adjacent said means for supporting a coin to be tested, means to engage the raised rim of a coin held by said supporting means, means for moving said means for contacting with the raised rim of acoin, means to move said supporting means and means to prevent a coin of larger than a predetermined diameter from entering said side coin chute, means for moving said means for supporting coins and said means for engaging coins whereby a coin having a raised rim will be conveyed to said side coin chute and other coins into said slug expelling chute.

FERDINAND ZIGHNEK. 

